Board game for enhancing mental skills through formation of shapes and patterns

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of playing a game using a set of parts. The set comprises a playing board provided with a plurality of identical recessed polygonal spaces being arranged in a grid of rows and columns, and a plurality of identically-shaped playing chips to removably fill the plurality of recessed polygonal spaces in order to form a particular pattern. The method of playing the game comprises the steps, respectively performed by each of the plurality of players, of choosing any free area of one of the polygonal spaces; and laying down one chip on the chosen area, wherein the method further comprises the steps of detecting whether a player has a combination of forms constituting at least a predetermined number of points; and detecting whether a player has signaled a designated term.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a game but more particularly to a board game playable by two or four players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of this board game is simulating an art competition by combining of colored playing chips and forming shapes, forms and patterns equivalent to corresponding points. The players shall act as artists and compete for that winning entry or combination of forms.

Various types and forms of board games are available in the market. Board games which aid in developing and enhancing mental skills and awareness has been developed in recent years.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,952 disclosed a board game wherein the playing board has color-coded sides and color chips. Each side of color-coded chips are placed by opposing players on the playing board adjacent to other color chips and the color-coded sides of the board so that the colors of each adjacent chip match one another and so that the color of each chip which is adjacent to a color-coded side of the board also matches the color-coded side. However, this board game does not include teachings on playing the chips and forming a particular shape or pattern aside from the fact that the board and chips are entirely different from what is disclosed in the subject invention.

Moreso, the board game being disclosed herein simulates art competition wherein each of said colored chips are to be filled inside a square spaces forming a particular shape and/or pattern that corresponds to a certain point. The invention partakes the nature of a tool for mental exercise intended to help develop mental alertness, creative strategy, abstract thinking and observation skills while having fun at the same time. It is expected that this invention will also make bonding with family and friends more exciting and enjoyable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a board game which serves as a tool for mental exercise since playing the game would require the players' intense attention, mental analysis, concentration and arithmetic calculations. Every player shall think thoroughly everytime the opponents move while at the same time, the player has to come-up with his/her own unique strategic moves to be ahead in reaching for that winning entry/combination of forms. It is expected that this mental exercise will help develop ones mental alertness, creative strategy, abstract thinking and observation skills and that the mental challenge offered by the invention would create fun and excitement among the challengers, most especially, while bonding together with family and friends.

The invention discloses a board game playable by two to four players comprising a playing board being provided with a plurality of identical recessed polygonal spaces being arranged in a grid of rows and columns. The polygonal spaces are preferably square spaces of identical size.

A plurality of identically-shaped playing chips intended to removably fill said plurality of recessed polygonal spaces are also disclosed wherein four of said playing chips are intended to snugly fit within one polygonal space. The plurality of playing chips comprises one hundred triangular chips equally divided into four different colors distributed to four different players respectively. The colors of triangular chips preferably blue, green, red and orange wherein the size of each chip is substantially a quarter of one polygonal space which is a square.

The recessed polygonal spaces being defined by twenty-five squares arranged in a grid of five rows and five columns.

It is to be understood that specific colors and quantities being mentioned herein are modifiable by any person skilled in the art. Those modifications however, would resort to falling within the scope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1—is a top view of the playing board of present invention;

FIG. 2—is a representation of triangular chips showing initials of four preferred colors such as blue, green, red and orange;

FIG. 3—is an illustration of various formation that can be done out of triangular chips wherein each corresponds to particular points;

FIG. 4—is an illustration of “Shark Teeth” pattern that can be made out of the triangular chips of the present invention;

FIG. 5—is an illustration of another pattern called “Flag” that can be made out of the triangular chips of this invention;

FIG. 6—is an illustration of another pattern “Bird”;

FIG. 7—is an illustration of pattern dubbed as “Corners Zigzag”;

FIG. 8—shows another pattern called “Kite Formation”;

FIG. 9—shows a pattern called “Cuadro”;

FIG. 10—illustrates a pattern called “Cross”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in details, there is shown in FIG. 1 a playing board designated as 1 having twenty-five square spaces 2 being arranged in a grid of five rows and five columns.

FIG. 2 shows triangular chips 5 having four different colors preferably blue chip 7, green chip 8, red chip 9 and orange chip 10. Total number of triangular chips 5 is one hundred having the same size. Each chip is about a quarter of the size of one square space 2. The triangular chips 5 are equally divided into four consisting of twenty-five blue, twenty-five green twenty-five red, and twenty-five orange.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown formation patterns that could be formed by any player in order to score points:

Papillion Form 11—is an arrangement of two same-colored chips disposed in opposite manner with each other within a square space 2 and which shall have an equivalent of two points; Kite Form 12—is an arrangement of two same-colored chips disposed side-by-side each other within a square space 2 and which shall have an equivalent of two points; Pot Form 13—is an arrangement of three same-colored chips laid-down side-by-side each other within square space 2 and which shall have an equivalent of three points; Box Form 14—is an arrangement of four same-colored chips snugly fitted within a square space 2 and which shall have an equivalent of eight points.

FIG. 4 shows a pattern of a triangular chip with their corresponding points:

Three “Shark Teeth” form 15-15—is an arrangement of three same-colored chips disposed in series along the same plane within three adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of three points; Four Shark Teeth form 16-16—is an arrangement of four same-colored chips disposed in series along same plane within four adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of eight points; Five Shark Teeth form 17-17—is an arrangement of five same-colored chips disposed in series along same plane within five adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of fifteen points.

FIG. 5 shows the following patterns or forms with their corresponding points:

Three “Flags” form 18-18—is an arrangement of three same-colored chips disposed in parallel, one after another or on top or below each other, in similar orientation within three adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of three points;

Four Flags form 19-19—is an arrangement of four same-colored chips disposed in parallel, one after another or on top or below each other, in similar orientation within four adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of eight points;

Five Flags form 20-20—is an arrangement of five same-colored chips disposed in parallel, one after another or on top or below each other, in similar orientation within five adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of fifteen points. Shown in FIG. 6 are the following patterns and forms with their corresponding points:

Three “Birds” form 21-21—is an arrangement of three same-colored chips disposed diagonally in same orientation within three adjacent diagonal square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of three points;

Four Birds form 22-22—is an arrangement of four same-colored chips disposed diagonally in same orientation within four adjacent diagonal square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of eight points;

Five Birds form 23-23—is an arrangement of five same-colored chips disposed diagonally in same orientation, within five adjacent diagonal square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of fifteen points; Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown another pattern that could be formed by any player in order to score points:

Three “Corners Zigzag” form 24-24—is an arrangement of three same-colored chips disposed alternately in opposite orientation within three adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of three points;

Four Corners Zigzag form 25-25—is an arrangement of four same-colored chips disposed alternately in opposite orientation within four adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of eight points;

Five Corners Zigzag form 26-26—is an arrangement of five same-colored chips disposed alternately in opposite orientation within five adjacent horizontal or vertical square spaces 2 and which shall have an equivalent of fifteen points.

Another pattern is shown in FIG. 8 called a “Kite Formation” pattern, an arrangement of ten same-colored chips forming a combination of four Kite forms 12 disposed diagonally having same orientation, in four adjacent diagonal, vertical or horizontal square spaces 2 plus one Papillion form 11 disposed at any point along said playing board 1 which shall have an equivalent of twenty-one points.

In view now of FIG. 9, there shows a “Cuadro” pattern, which is an arrangement of ten same-colored chips, eight of which are disposed at the four corners of playing board 1 wherein each corner having one Kite Form 12 plus one Papillion Form 11 disposed at any point along said playing board 1 which shall also have an equivalent of twenty-one points.

Another pattern to score twenty-points instantly is shown in FIG. 10 dubbed as “Cross” pattern, which is an arrangement of ten same-colored chips formed into five Papillion Form 11 wherein four papillion being disposed each at the middle portion of pair of opposing outermost rows and columns of playing board 1 and the other one being disposed at the centermost square space wherein, upon connecting five papillion, would resemble a cross-shaped pattern. Each of the five papillion is disposed at any orientation either by vertical or horizontal as clearly shown in FIG. 10. This pattern shall have an equivalent of twenty-one points.

Rules in Winning the Game:

Below are the rules of winning in this board game. Challenger refers also to player in this entire specification.

-   1) The Challenger who comes-up ahead of the other Challengers a     combination of forms including the required two (2) Papillion Forms     11 (FIG. 3) except in “Kite Formation” (FIG. 8) and in “Cuadro”     (FIG. 9) where only one (1) Papillion Form 11 (FIG. 3) is required     with an equivalent of, at least, Twenty-One (21) Points and who     calls or announces the word “DEAL” shall be the winner. -   2) The Right-To-Win of a Challenger is Forfeited if he/she fails to     call or announce the word “DEAL”, although his/her chips arrangement     has already reached an equivalent of, at least, twenty-one points,     in favor of another Challenger, who calls/announces “DEAL” although     only second, third or fourth to reach an equivalent of at least     twenty-one points. -   3) Each challenger is subject to “penalties”. The Challenger who     earns the highest points after penalties, even if below     twenty-one (21) points shall be the Winner, in any of the following:     -   3.1 In the Event, that the Challenger who misdeclares and         announced “DEAL” without reaching yet the winning points commits         a False Alarm and the Challengers proceed to the counting of         points earned by each of them after penalties.     -   3.2 In the Event, that all the Challengers' chips have already         been filled or placed in the playing board 1 but no Challenger         called or announced “DEAL”, the Challengers proceed to the         counting of points earned by each of them after penalties. -   4) Penalties     -   4.1 Penalty for failure to come-up with the required Papillion         Form/s:         -   Challengers are required to make at least two (2) Papillion             Forms 11 (FIG. 3) except in “Kite Formation” (FIG. 8) and             “Cuadro” (FIG. 9) where only one (1) Papillion Form 11             (FIG. 3) is required for each. Failure to do so shall             subject the Challenger to the following penalties:

No. of Papillion Forms Missed Points to be deducted from Total Score Two (2) −6  One (1) −3

-   -   4.2 Penalty For Committing False Alarm         -   A Challenger who called “DEAL” but upon count verification             he/she has not garnered twenty-one (21) points, has             committed a “False Alarm” and shall be penalized by             deducting six (6) points from total points earned.

How to Play:

1. Assignment/Playing of the four (4) sets of colored chips.

-   -   1.1 If there are only two Challengers, each Challenger must be         assigned and play two sets of colored playing chips 5 but         scoring shall be on a per color basis.     -   1.2 If there are three (3) Challengers, each Challenger shall be         assigned to play one set of twenty-five pieces same colored         chips. The fourth set of colored chips shall be set aside,         unless, the challengers will agree that one of them shall play         two sets of colored chips but scoring shall be on a per color         basis. The challengers may take turn in playing with two (2)         colored sets.     -   1.3 If there are four Challengers, each Challenger shall play         one set of twenty-five pieces of same colored chips.

2. Picking who will make the first move

-   -   The Challenger shall pick through “toss coins” or any other ways         of selecting as to who will make the first move, as may be         agreed upon.

3. Making Moves

-   -   3.1 The Challenger picked to make the first move shall lay-down         one chip at any square space 2 on the playing board 1. Other         Challengers follow, in clock-wise sequence, by laying down one         chip, at a time at any square space of their choice. If there         are only two Challengers, each Challenger shall make one move at         a time, alternately, on a per color basis.     -   3.2 The objective of each Challenger's move or laying down of         chips shall be to come-up with a combination of forms, as         illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 10, that would have an equivalent of,         at least, Twenty-One (21) Points, or to block/prevent other         Challengers from coming-up first with the said combination of         forms.

There are many possible variations of the rules which may be established and still allow the use of the basic concept of forming a shape or pattern of the colored playing chips 5 placed by opponents on the playing board 1. The actual colors used, as well as the point value assigned in formation and patterns formed may be varied. The size of the playing board, as well as the size of the playing chips 5 are subject to variation. The number of square spaces 2, as well as the number of colored playing chips 5, may be varied. Scoring may be dispensed with entirely. This is especially advisable when the game is being played by young children. It has been found that even four year old children can enjoy the game if the goal is simply to match the colors and creation of shapes and pattern without score keeping. They lack the sophistication of a strategy to win but seem to enjoy the game on the level of a puzzle without the competitive motive to win. 

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A method of playing a game using a set of parts, the set comprising: a playing board provided with a plurality of identical recessed square spaces being arranged in a grid of rows and columns, the playing board defining an outer boundary having a height of multiple recessed square spaces and a width of multiple recessed square spaces; and a plurality of identically-shaped playing chips to removably fill the plurality of recessed square spaces in order to form a particular pattern wherein, each chip having a triangular shape such that 4 chips fit snuggly into one recessed square space, wherein the method comprises the step, of: distributing a respective color of triangular shape chip to each player of a plurality of players, wherein the method further comprises the steps, respectively performed by each of the plurality of players, of: choosing one of the recessed square spaces; choosing any free area of the chosen recessed square space; and laying down one triangular shape chip on the chosen area of the chosen recessed square space, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: detecting whether a player has a combination of forms constituting at least a predetermined number of points; and detecting whether a player has signaled a designated term.
 7. (canceled)
 8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the predetermined number of points is
 21. 9. A method according to claim 6 wherein the designated term includes the word “deal”.
 10. A method according to claim 6 further including applying a penalty to a player that signals the designated term without reaching the predetermined number of points.
 11. A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of distributing includes distributing a respective color of triangular shape chips to each of 4 players.
 12. A method according to claim 6 further including detecting whether a player does not have a certain form; and applying a penalty to the player, responsive to the previous step.
 13. A method according to claim 6 wherein detecting whether a player has a combination of forms constituting at least a predetermined number of points includes detecting a form encompassed by one recessed square space.
 14. A method according to claim 6 wherein detecting whether a player has a combination of forms constituting at least a predetermined number of points includes detecting a form spanning a plurality of recessed square spaces.
 15. A method according to claim 6 wherein detecting whether a player has a combination of forms constituting at least a predetermined number of points includes detecting a first form, the first form being encompassed by one recessed square space; and of points includes detecting a second form, the second form spanning a plurality of recessed square spaces.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the step of distributing includes distributing a respective color of triangular shape chips to each of 4 players 